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“Wait, Moss Ball!”
“You want to go and look for someone?!” Sanji continued.
The little reindeer spoke in a serious tone: “He’s right, Zoro! Please stay here.”
Smiling, Robin said: “Be a sweetheart and wait here, okay?”
I remained silent. Without an answer, I turned away from the three of them. I walked casually to the sofa where our captain was sitting. I relaxed and plopped down next to him, crossing my legs.
“How exhausting,” I said, more to myself than anything else. “But they’ve only formed a search party. They should be able to manage, I think.”
There was no reaction, so I turned my head slightly to the right. Although Luffy was smaller, he took up considerably more space. He sat with his legs spread, his head tilted back, and his arms resting on the armrest.
His tongue was hanging out of his mouth as he panted.
“Anyway…” I drew out the word a little, “You gave it your all again, huh?”
“Huh, huh, I give it… Always my all… Phew.”
More breaths filled the still space. Gradually, they became more even and calmer. The exhausted man’s chest rose and fell at a comfortable pace.
Some say I’m not very talkative, but I spoke to my captain again: “It’s not often that we’re alone together.”
“Shishishi, that’s true. It reminds me a bit of the beginning of this huge adventure.”
“I’ve been with you for quite some time now, and I’ll continue to stay by your side, Luffy, just like I promised two years ago.”
Rather gentle words for a swordsman.
Silence remained between us as our eyes searched for each other. When they met after a few milliseconds, neither of us wanted to break apart.
I gazed into the infinite depths revealed by the irises of his eyes. It had a hypnotic effect, a calming one. Before I lost myself completely, however, I began to explore Luffy's beautiful face. My gaze traveled to the tip of his nose, across his cheeks, to his ears. Briefly back to his large eyes, then with a joyful tingle to a pair of thin lips.
"Zoro~" came softly from the bundle of energy who always gave his all. I pulled away from his lips and examined my reflection in his pupils. The whisper of a voice was a sign for me.
I concentrated to use my Observation Haki. Like waves, Luffy's chaotic emotions washed over me.
Without another word, I understood what he wanted, what he needed.
I reached out and placed my hand on the soft top of his hair, before gently ruffling it.
“A new island with many unknown technologies. Old enemies and new friends you want to protect. You've exhausted yourself, and all of this has cost you energy, am I right?”
The head beneath my palm moved rhythmically back and forth several times.
It was good that Luffy had some peace and quiet now. Room to breathe.
His hand rose and grasped the sleeve of my jacket. He tugged at it.
I understood his gestures. He needed a little more time before he had the strength to speak again.
“Looks like someone needs some affection.”
It wasn't a question, but he still nodded.
I let my hand slide down easily, took the Ten-Ten-Mushi-like thing from Luffy's ear, and put it aside.
Then I shifted my right leg from my left and got up from the sofa. It was becoming uncomfortable to interact from this position.
After two steps, I was already standing before the man for whom I would give my life.
I placed my left shin on the seat, next to Luffy's thigh. For more stability, I positioned my hands on each of his shoulders. Now my other leg followed with the same movement.
Thanks to my daily training, I could continue sitting in this crouched position over Luffy, but I wanted to get comfortable. My leg muscles relaxed, and my bottom settled into my captain's lap.
Once again, we looked into each other's eyes. This time closer than before. The next moment, I closed mine, bridging the last bit of distance between us. My lips gently touched his for exactly three seconds.
I leaned back slightly, keeping my eyes closed. I now focused my concentration on my Observation Haki. The storm of emotions was somewhat less chaotic.
I ran my tongue along the rim of my lips. Before they dried, I pressed them to his one last time.
1 2 3
This time, I only moved a few centimeters away, leaving barely enough room for a cookie to fit between us. I heard a delighted sound from Luffy. He'd enjoyed the extra sensory stimulation.
Tilting my head to the side, I lifted my chin to bring my mouth close to my lover's ear.
I pressed my teeth against the skin of his earlobe, a signal to give him permission to bite.
Luffy's face lit up, which inevitably made me smile.
A pair of eyes scanned my body from head to toe. His eyebrows narrowed above them. With his index finger, he tapped my sternum with unerring precision while murmuring, "Tight."
True, the clothes worn by the inhabitants of this island were quite tight. His comment made me realize that, unlike my usual loose clothing, there was now no real access to my skin.
Stretching my arms back, I shook off my jacket. At the same time, I craned my neck forward and rested my forehead on his. “I’m sorry.”
At least Luffy could have my arms now. Besides the jacket, I was only wearing a jumpsuit, and I didn’t want to sit here completely naked.
I casually placed my hands back on his shoulders. The black-haired boy nudged his cheek against my left forearm. Satisfied, he buried his nose in the crook of my arm. How could anyone be so sweet!
Luffy looked up. His eyes met mine, asking for confirmation. He wanted to be sure he was allowed to do this.
A soft chuckle escaped my lips.
“Luffy, you can. What else did we come up with this sign for? You know that as long as you don’t use Haki, you won’t hurt me, nor will it hurt me.”
Even if it did, for that twinkle in his eyes, I would endure far more than a few bites.
The weight of his head lifted from the crook of my arm. The dark-haired man gazed at my bare upper arm. His right hand found its place on my bicep, which he then gently kneaded.
I could feel how this repetitive movement further calmed him. It was soothing for me as well. After all, I held my swords with these arms every day. My eyes covered my vision. Before opening them again to continue watching my captain, I took two deep, conscious breaths.
It helped Luffy relax more when I did too. Although he often struggled with his own emotions, he had a good sense of others' feelings.
His hand rested there for a moment before he slowly slid it down into mine. His fingers gently encircled the back of my hand. I returned the small gesture.
Through narrowed eyes, I saw my lover bite his lower lip, the corners of his mouth turning up. Someone was pleased.
Adrenaline surged, he lunged forward with his mouth open and bit down.
"Ngh," I managed a weak murmur.
His jaw loosened before he bit down again in the same spot.
I remained silent; the element of surprise and the force of the first bite had worn off. Besides, this was nothing compared to the numerous battle wounds I'd sustained.
Luffy proudly stood up and surveyed his handiwork. My gaze drifted to the same spot. A more pronounced circle of teeth marks had formed on my skin, within which a slightly narrower one was faintly visible.
"Is that enough for you?"
He shook his head mischievously and moved to a spot further inward on my upper arm.
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. How faint, barely noticeable.
Ah.
It wasn't a single bite, but a nibbling. Goosebumps rose all over my arm. The inside was just a bit more sensitive.
Luffy's saliva left his mouth and trickled down my arm, tickling me.
"Mmm, hehe," I murmured at the sensation.
The nibbling stopped. A soft pair of lips kissed the reddened area. Luffy straightened up. He cupped my face in his hands, gazing into my soul as he said, "Thank you."
Before I could reply, my lips met his. Full of affection, yet also playful, they moved harmoniously, like a dance, against each other.
My arms encircled his torso. The dance ended, and Luffy laid his head on my chest. A pout reached my ears: "Too bad I couldn't bite here. Zoro has such beautiful boobs."
I laughed again. "You're incorrigible!"
"Shishishi"